Russia calls "not to dramatize" European missile shield

MOSCOW, April 15 (Itar-Tass) -- A Russian deputy foreign minister
called on the eve of the Russia-NATO ministerial meeting "not to
dramatize" the issue of the planned European missile shield.
"As for the European missile defense, I would not dramatize the
situation. An intensive exchange of opinions is ongoing on the whole range
of issues related to the creation of the European missile shield and on
the protection of interests of all potential participants," Alexander
Grushko told Tass on Thursday on the eve of the meeting in Berlin.
He admitted that Russia and NATO still differ in approaches to the
issue and said Moscow insists on the creation of "a genuine single
European missile defense rather than two independent segments."
"We believe it shall be guaranteed that the defense system does not
target its participants and does not undermine strategic stability. In
other words, it shall be adequate to real missile risks and threats,"
Grushko said.
The finalized document shall be drafted for the meeting of Russian
and NATO defense ministers in June which will "fix the principles of
(missile defense) cooperation and formulate the framework for further
actions," the deputy minister said.
Addressing a conference in Berlin Grushko said the European missile
shield project was a test for NATO readiness to cooperate with Russia and
take its security interests into account. He said the Russian position was
based on three key elements: "the defense shall be designed on equality
principles, should not create threats for our strategic potential and not
'appoint adversaries' and thus draw new division lines."
If NATO ignores Russian interests, "we shall naturally have no other
choice than to take corresponding measures to ensure our security. There
should be no doubt about that," Grushko said.
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will participate in the meeting and is
likely to hold bilateral talks with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton,
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine
Ashton, French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe, and Greek Foreign Minister
Dimitris Droutsas on the sidelines.
Grushko said the Russia-NATO council meeting will also focus on Libya,
Afghanistan and the fight against terrorism.
He reiterated the Russian position that NATO-led operation in Libya
should strictly abide by UN Security Council resolution and not go beyond
the enforcement of the non-fly zone and arms embargo.
"We are concerned by reports on non-selective use of force and deaths
among civilians in air strikes. Moscow calls for an early transition of
the situation into political phase under the governing role of the UN
Security Council," Grushko said.